This Week in History, May 18-24

This Week in History briefly lists significant events in the history of the Unification Church, the lives of the Founders, and world events that are momentous to Unificationists. Most items are marked according to the solar calendar. Items marked “H.C.” correspond to the Cheon-gi or Heavenly Calendar, which is based on the lunar calendar. This installment covers the week of May 18-24.

May 20, 1984

True Father and True Mother passing on their blessing to all Unificationists gathered at the Belvedere training center in Tarrytown, NY, on May 20, 1984.

True Parents begin the tradition of Ae Chun Candles with blessed families

True Father and True Mother brought two burning candles in after Sunday Service on May 20, 1984 and passed its flame on to those Unificationist couples present. True Father called these candles the Ae Chun Cho, or Love of God candles, referring to the love that God has for humankind. This pair of candles, representing the father candle and mother candle, signifies the harmony and love of True Parents and whenever they are lit, the authority of true love is present. On this day, True Father prayed: “Wherever this candle burns may the family be united, and may that family have peace, connecting with the sovereignty of Your Love through this light.”

 May 18, 1975

43rd street building becomes the new headquarters location

When it was purchased, the building at 4 West 43rd street in Manhattan became the new National Headquarters for what was then known as the Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity (HSA UWC), and enjoyed its first Sunday sermon on May 18, 1975. Today, it also houses the Unification Theological Seminary (UTS) and weekly Sunday Services for the Family Church of New York City (FC NYC).